Climate Change Action Depends on the 2024 Election

The United States faces significant challenges related to climate change, with annual disaster costs estimated at $150 billion, exacerbated by just 1.1 degrees Celsius of warming since preindustrial times. The upcoming 2024 election presents a stark contrast in climate policy between candidates, with Vice President Harris likely to continue the Biden administration's climate initiatives, including the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), which allocates $369 billion for climate investments over the next decade. In contrast, former President Trump aims to reverse these efforts, promoting deregulation and increased fossil fuel production, while dismissing climate change as a pressing issue. The implications of these policies are profound, as the U.S. is the largest historical contributor to global warming, and any rollback of current climate initiatives could hinder progress toward international climate goals. Furthermore, the Biden-Harris administration's focus on climate resilience through the IRA and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law represents a significant step in addressing the impacts of climate change, which will remain a critical issue for the next president, regardless of the election outcome.